Nutritionist. Healthy food information for kids.
Who is a nutritionist?
Every child is born uniquely. Therefore, some of them need special care for nutrition management.
Nutritionists could help you plan your children’s daily meal plan according to their appetite for food.
Picky eaters are common among children. For many parents, it is easy to imagine a toddler dropping a piece of broccoli on the floor in disgust but actually, it is an all-too-familiar scenario. However, it is essential to find ways to get your child to eat that piece of broccoli, no matter how stressful it may be.
After all, studies show that a balanced and healthy diet directly impacts all aspects of a child’s growth and development.
Is it essential to see a Nutritionist?
Yes! It is important!
Most parents have given their best to ensure their children get enough nutrition from the food they are taking and the milk they have been drinking. Sometimes, you see that your child is eating their food well and drinking their milk regularly, but at the same time, you as a parent must have a curious feeling about your children’s eating habits and growth.
Does their height match their age? Is their weight suitable for their age? And many more unexplained questions that have been staying in your head for quite some time.
Therefore, seeing a nutritionist will help you answer all the questions that have been playing in your mind.
Who should see a nutritionist?
- Obesity children.
- Children who are picky eaters.
- Children who have food allergies.
- Children who are experiencing malnutrition.
- underweight Children.
- Parents who are curious about their children’s eating habits.
How does a Nutritionist help you?
- Examine the nutritional and health requirements of patients.
- Patients should be counseled by a nutritionist on nutrition and good eating habits.
- Develop food and nutrition plans that take into account both clients’ preferences and their finances.
- Evaluate the effects of meal plans and make changes if necessary.
- Keep up with the latest food and nutritional science research, or contribute to it.
- They should translate nutrition knowledge into practical eating guidance by interpreting scientific data.
- Keep track of your child’s progress.
Nutritionists could also help you understand more about the baby, child, and teenager’s eating behaviour. They can help you to diagnose the child’s need for nutrition. We will benefit parents by teaching them how to prepare, cook and even serve food and drinks for their baby and child. Moreover, we will give you the best tips on attracting and increasing your baby and child’s appetite.
There are also a few things that you would not expect a nutritionist could help you with. Such as:
- Assist you in breastfeeding
For pregnant mommies out there, you should meet the nutritionist before you deliver the baby. Nutritionists that specialize in pediatric nutrition can obtain breastfeeding-specific training and education. They can then instruct parents on proper techniques, what to expect and how to get more support from the spouse.
New parents should learn as much as they can about breastfeeding before the baby arrives, and qualified pediatric nutrition can help you. After the baby is delivered, the nutritionist can continue to provide the knowledge to parents, help you regarding the breastfeeding issues, and monitor the infant weight to ensure that the baby is getting enough volume of milk to assist expected growth.
Nutritionists can also help breastfeeding mothers who may need to make dietary changes if their baby displays any signs of a food allergy or sensitivity to something regarding their food intake.
2. Premature babies require special feeding.
Other than that, premature babies have different nutritional requirements than full-term babies. They have various growth objectives as well. Some premature babies, particularly those born before 32-34 weeks, may have feeding difficulties. A nutritionist can help strategize to ensure the infant gets appropriate nutrition if they are not getting enough volume to support development goals.
This assistance can also be beneficial as the baby converts to solid foods and during the toddler years when children become pickier.
3. Help parents to discover allergies and the sensitivity of their children.
Even with blood tests, food allergies and sensitivities are difficult to diagnose. The nutritionist may evaluate a food allergy or sensitivity if your kid has chronic symptoms without a clear explanation, such as eczema, runny nose, ear infections, diaper rash, diarrhea or constipation, fussiness, or aversion to eating.
A nutritionist can help you to eliminate foods that may be triggering your symptoms while also providing a nutritionally balanced diet plan for the child.
4. Manage the nutritional needs of children with special medical conditions.
Pediatric nutritionists are specially trained to give optimal nutrition to children with a range of diagnoses that influence their food, growth, and eating.
Trisomy 21, heart problems, cerebral palsy, cognitive difficulties, injuries, chronic respiratory issues, tube feedings, and other conditions are only a few examples.
5. For digestion problems, provide nutrition care.
Dietary adjustments can often help with digestive problems. Reflux, diarrhoea, constipation, bloating, and stomach aches can all be relieved with nutrition advice from a nutritionist. Dietitians are also trained to treat nutrition for gastrointestinal disorders such as ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, Celiac disease, IBS, and others.
Tips for your appointment:
It does not matter whether you come to the nutritionist because your doctor recommends it for your child or come on your own. There are a few tips that I can give to you so that you can be prepared before you go and see the nutritionist so that your appointment procedure flow will be as smooth as silk.
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First, have a medical checkup. Before giving you or your child nutritional advice, a nutritionist needs to know about the health. Blood pressure and information from blood tests, such as blood cholesterol, triglycerides, blood glucose (sugar), haemoglobin, and hematocrit levels (a measure of the volume of red blood cells in the blood), can all be shared with your healthcare provider. Diet and possibly physical activity can help manage several health problems in part or whole.
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Be ready to respond to anything. Expect to discuss your child’s eating habits, food allergies, dietary supplements, weight history, food preferences, general medical history, family medical history, medications, and lifestyle habits. These details might assist a nutritionist tailor diet and nutrition advice to your child’s specific lifestyle and health requirements.
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Keep track of what your child eats. Write down everything they eat and drink for several days if requested. The quantity in cups, ounces, tablespoons, and how the dishes are prepared, for example, is it fried, grilled, or baked. These are all the things that you need to record. The records matter for the nutritionist.
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Do not expect miracles or magic bullets. A skilled nutritionist will focus on lifestyle and food choices rather than fast fixes, miracle cures, or expensive dietary supplements.
Here in Firststep Child Specialist Clinic, we can help you make sure that your child’s eating habit is suitable for their growth. Our nutritionist has a lot of experience handling picky eaters, children, obese children, and children with behavioural eating problems. Nutritionists can conduct extensive examinations of your child’s health and development and then provide individualized dietary suggestions based on that knowledge.
Do not hesitate to visit us for any consultation at our clinic at Sri Hartamas, Kuala Lumpur. Or you can contact us through our website and social media. We also provide online consultation if you have a limited time to come and visit us at our clinic.
Our team consists of qualified and experienced child specialists, nurses, and clinic assistants.
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